strumdatjag

I only included games where I was in attendance (#10 being a multiple game realization); I saw Game 6 in 1987 and 1991 on TV

My personal Top Ten: 10. Gary Gaetti bemoaning the lack of attendance in the early days of the dome and how it made it so he could always hear that "one wise guy" in the crowd - And knowing it was sometimes ME. 9. My cousin's wife sitting next to me and commenting loudly on the size of Kirby Puckett's butt. We were sitting directly behind Tonya Puckett (later, after Tonya left briefly, I let the cousin's wife know and later she pointed out the almost equally huge size of the diamond on Tonya's ring) 8. Often the P.A. would play Iggy Pop's "Lust for Life" for opposing batters (Heck, the intro to the song had been used in commercials for Cruise Ships). Once and only once, the P.A. played it for the entrance of a relief pitcher - allowing time for the risqué lyrics to play throughout the dome. 7. At the urinals being able to abort my own efforts at relief, while a friend had reached the point of no return next to another fan with the biggest richochet splatter I have ever seen. Disgusting but extremely hilarious. 6. In one of the final years for the Twins in the Dome, it was "Teen Challenge" day. The P.A. announcer introduced with harrowing and heartwarming stories, a young gal and young guy who had overcome drug and alcohol addiction. Together, they each threw out a ceremonial pitch. The P.A. announcer asked for the crowd to show some appreciation as the P.A. started blaring Roxy Music's "Love is the Drug". 5. Bringing three male friends to a 1980s era game four rows directly behind the plate. The batter attempted a bunt, but barely knicked it, sending the ball behind him and straight to the ground. The catcher already had run forward to field the nonexistent ball, and the runner had run out of the batter's box. The ball then rebounded directly up between the legs of the umpire who fell to the ground in pain. As we laughed, the people around us glared with great disapproval. This only made it more difficult to stop laughing. The Umpire was OK and officiated the rest of the game. 4. Dave Kingman hitting the ball in the roof and it didn't come down. A friend who had a little bit of a drinking problem at the time (OK - a lot of a problem), was the lone voice as a hush came over the dome, "Somebody call for it." Mickey Hatcher then pretended to catch a nonexistent ball as a joke, I think. 3. Every World Series and Playoff Game I saw except Game 7 in 1991 and 1987. I missed Game 6 of each WS but saw all the other games. 2. Game 7 of the 1987 World Series and the celebration in the streets afterwards. 1. Game 7 of the 1991 World Series, the greatest World Series ever, especially Jack Morris staying out for the 10th!!!!!

This rotation leans right more than AM 1280.

All four of this year and last year's free-agent starters are righthanders: Hughes, Nolasco, Pelfrey and Correia. Except for Scott Diamond and Andrew Albers, all of the other potential starters throw right-handed: Worley, Deduno, Meyer, Gibson . . . There is a great likelihood of an all right-handed rotation for the next two years the way things look now. It's better than a bad rotation, but I'd like to have some lefties.

In other words, I'd hate to keep a great prospect out of the rotation, just because we're paying big money to an average pitcher (potentially Nolasco) or worse a below average pitcher (Hughes). Now, they both could be great, which would create a non-problem if Meyer is delayed. Moreover, Hughes could very well stink (look at his HR numbers, pitching in Target Field could just mean he gives up a slightly lower but still ridiculously high number of HRs). If he stinks, he will be jettisoned or promptly demoted like Worley was last year. In other words, I don't mind if excellence delays a prospect, I just don't want it delayed by mediocrity.

Don't get me wrong, I do like these FA signings. The Twins will have some competition for the last two spots in the rotation (behind Hughes, Nolasco and Correia). Hopefully, that will weed out the stiffs and bring our squad back to mediocrity at least. The one downside is that all that glut of mediocre to above-average pitching may delay a potential ace in Alex Meyer, who had just an impressive Arizona Fall League performance. I'd like to see Alex work his way up here at least as a September Call-up in 2014. Now, barring injury, it looks like 2015.

I recognize that the Incognito-Martin interaction is more serious than Gatorade Dumps and Shaving Cream Towels. However, once the Commissioner's Office, the owners and the lawyers start discussing potential litigation and potential monetary and public-relations costs, the possibility of an over-reaction is real. The end result could be the MLB functional equivalent of the zero-tolerance policies that get kindergartners with water pistols expelled from school. You know that this is being discussed in the offices of MLB and that policies will be adopted. I just hope those policies leave the players free to engage in the "good-natured" ribbing that is part of the fun of the game.

So, will the Gatorade Dump and Shaving Cream Towels become a thing of the past??? Or will the perpetrators have to do it in disguise or with an alias or go - or go - or go Incog -whatever? I ask only slightly in jest, because I have to believe that MLB is already discussing the effect of the Miami Dolphin issues and will probably adopt some over-the-top and unnecessary reactionary policies before pitchers and catchers report.

Mike Pelfrey says he wants to be here, and his numbers were not that great last season to worry about a lot of bidders (any second year after Tommy John optimism will be muted). Boros is only a big problem if he has other bidders. My prediction: Mike will end out back here on a two year deal and put up mediocre numbers (an improvement from last year's uneven performance).

Finally, remember what Ozzie G said about AJ, "If you play against him, you hate him. If you play with him, you hate him a little less." AJ will get more than enough at bats between DH, pinch hitting and backup catcher. He'll kick a little butt in the clubhouse. And the Twins fans will "hate him a little less."

Consider the sudden improvement to the current bench if AJ is signed as a backup to Josmil Pinto and Doumit is not traded. The bench suddenly has AJ from the left as DH and backup catcher, Doumit as a switch-hitting DH and reserve corner outfielder (and reserve catcher in an emergency/injury situation or late inning substitution), and Escobar and/or Bartlett as utility infielder plus Mastro as reserve corner and center Outfielder. That should add a few Twins runs over the course of a season. Plus, AJ is more likely to be an upgrade as Twins color guy in the booth after he retires.

But the real reason is to get him and the public ready for AJ on FSN or K-Twin

Reason #3: Professional Hitter and DH off the bench, and he has some power Reason #2: Backup Catcher and mentor to Pinto (trade Doumit) But the #1 Reason is: He'll be retiring soon and he wants to go into broadcasting. I want him associated with the Twins when both happen (one leads to the other). Think of anyone who would be more entertaining (albeit probably sometimes infuriating) than AJ as a color guy (Bert? Coomdog? Jelly Roll Smalley? Dazzleman? NAH! AJ is the guy!):shoot:

Ozzie!!!

More entertaining too.

If the Twins have to lose, it would be more interesting with Ozzie Guillen

These guys have also been listed as potential free agents in recent articles. Jason Vargas, Scott Kazmir, Tim Hudson, and Josh Johnson. My preference would be to sign a younger pitcher like Phil Hughes and hope he benefits from a change in scenery. Leaving Yankee Stadium to Target Field is a big change - there's always hope.

Tommy Lasorda once said the "Dodger's Way" meant that at every level the players would be taught to turn a double play a particular way, and handle other plays the same way. So, when a shortstop would be called up from the minors, he would already be on the same page with the second baseman for example! The Twins Way includes a similar philosophy.

The reason I'm asking is that I thought most would agree with me on Hrbek. But check out www.baseball-reference.com and their stats are comparable, arguably slightly better for Morneau (you WAR - what is it good for - guys can tell an old guy like me if I'm wrong). Then you start to think, Morneau's one of only 3 MVPs this organization has ever had. It should be a tougher choice but somehow it isn't. I go with Hrbek.

Agreed- Both are Hall of Famers and Kent is not and Justin needs 3-4 or more GREAT years in the future to have any chance to make it. If you were to name an all-time Twins Team, I'd put Carew on Second and Killebrew on Third (mostly because Hrbek and Morneau for First is a better option than Gaetti, Koskie, Rollins or whatever at 3B, and there are too many good outfielders to choose from). Once you place Carew at 2B and Harmon at 3B, who is your starting 1B on your all-time team??? I pick Hrbek over Morneau and way over Mientkiewizc (spelling???), Ron Jackson, Don Mincher . . .

If Morneau's tenure ends here (i.e not re-signed), then it's easy - Hrbek wins! His two World Series rings, better fielding (Morneau started as less than average and improved), and more Home Runs trumps one MVP award and a stellar career. Maybe one could say that Justin was more consistent up to 2010 and Hrbie was more streaky (then again those streaks carried the Twins for many stretches). Both were great. I still pick Hrbek - have at it!!! I'm disqualifying Carew and Killebrew, because they played other positions extensively. Make your case for Scott Stahoviak or Ron Jackson or other former 1Bers if you wish (that may be entertaining)!

Willingham is here for the rest of the season, since no deal with the Orioles could be negotiated. The Twins should go next year with Mauer at First Base, and catcher (starter and backup) should be a Spring Training Competition (Pinto, Herrman and Doumit). First Base is now open for Mauer!

The answer: Because sports are Soap Operas for guys. Many women don't understand why we follow sports just like most of us don't understand why any of them were glued to the news of William, Kate and the Royal Baby in the UK or why any of them would give a rip about any of the Kardashians, except to the extent it may distract Chris Humphries and derail his NBA career.

Sorry, but I couldn't resist posting something on Bastardo - just a great name for someone sanctioned in the Biogenesis scandal. Actually, all of the Biogenesis guys are Bastardos!!!

The Twins are clearly going to need to go to the free agent market to fill out their rotation next year. It looks like Antonio Bastardo may be available and probably for a cheap price. Otherwise, it looks like Correia, Gibson, Deduno, and Albers will join Bastardo.